Pep: ‘Haaland is only going to get better’
Check out Pep Guardiola’s pre match press conference ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League clash Newcastle. When asked about new signing Erling Haaland’s immediate impact Pep believes that there is much more to come from the big Norwegian number 9.
Newcastle vs Manchester City: Line-ups
Newcastle
Manchester City
City Will Dominate
#1
After a summer which saw goalkeeper Nick Pope and centre-back Sven Botman arrive from Burnley and Lille respectively, while Matt Targett’s loan was made permanent, the Magpies kicked off their top-flight campaign with a home contest against newly-promoted Nottingham Forest and came away with all three points.
#2
The game remained goalless until the hour mark, but Fabian Schar eventually broke the deadlock with an eye-catching effort from distance, before Callum Wilson wrapped up the points with his side’s second goal 12 minutes from time. The Magpies would then travel to take on Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend and returned home with a point following a goalless draw, largely thanks to Pope’s heroics between the sticks.
#3
Howe has plenty to be pleased about, with his side yet to concede in two top-flight outings and having won eight of their last nine home league matches spanning back to February, but both of those records will certainly be put to the test on Sunday as the defending champions arrive looking to make it three wins from three games.
#4
City welcomed newly-promoted AFC Bournemouth to the Etihad Stadium last weekend, and Ilkay Gundugan, who was the hero in their title-securing win over Aston Villa on the final day of last season with a late brace, gave the Citizens the lead after 19 minutes. Kevin De Bruyne made it two on the half-hour mark, before Phil Foden capped off a rampant first-half performance with their third of the afternoon six minutes later, and, followng a second-half own goal from Jefferson Lerma, Guardiola’s men came away with a 4-0 victory.
#5
Now sitting as one of just two sides with six points from the first two league outings, Manchester City will look to quickly establish a lead at the top of the division with another triumph at the weekend.
DPP Verdict
Newcastle United have excelled at home this calendar year and will have confidence from their positive start to the season, but we see Sunday’s contest being a step too far. The Citizens have picked up where they left off last season and should dominate the ball and create enough chances for the likes of Haaland and Foden to fire them to victory.
